amber good

8/8/2019 Amber Good

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8/8/2019 Amber Good


Chapter 1

Follow me.” said the tubby police officer.I followed him as he led me into the station. The florescent

lights in the hall buzzed and flickered eerily.I had no idea why I was here. One moment I was in my

room, the next, there was a cop at my door.“You need to come with me.” he’d said.And really, who says no to a cop? I don’t.He led me to an open office. “Sit down.” was all he said

before he left and walked back down the hall.I sat in one of the ugly half padded chairs and fiddled with

the zipper on my coat.

Why am I here? , I asked myself, what did I do?A few minutes later, Chief Owen Sanders walked throughthe door.

“Now,” he said as he sat behind his desk and folded hishands in front of him, “You’re probably wondering why you’rehere. Am I right?”

I nodded, trying desperately to hold back tears.“We got a call. Your mother just got out of prison and I

thought you should know. I also wanted to tell you that sheknows exactly where you are, and that it would be in your bestinterest to leave town.”

“Oh god.” I cried covering my mouth.My mother, Janice Weston had gone to prison for murdering my father. She was supposed to have a life sentence.

Chief Sanders read the expression on my face. “Sheescaped.”

“When?” I asked, my voice breaking.“We’re not sure. She has done a good job of staying off the

radar so far.”“I have to get out. I have to leave now.” I stood up so

quickly that the chair toppled over, hitting the cheap linoleumfloor with a loud, sharp bang .

“Three officers are going to take you home, help you pack up what you need, and drive you to a small town five hoursaway.” Chief Sanders explained as he stood.

“Okay.” I whispered.“Go.” he waved a hand at me and I took off full speed

down the long hallway.As promised, three officers escorted me home and helped

me pack. Well Officer Brooklyn Douglas did. The men stood at

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the door.Fifteen minutes later, I had three suitcases packed and was

on my way to the unknown town.I drifted off to sleep in the back seat of the cruiser as it

drove down the long stretch of highway.

Tyler

“You’re sure you can handle this?” the Chief asked me over the phone. “We can take her somewhere else.”

“I said it was fine the first five times you asked, sir. Whywould I change my answer now?” my voice was harsh. I did notlike being woken up at five in the morning.

“Just making sure. This is a very...complicated situation.”Chief Sanders said.

“Sir, my answer is not going to change.” I rubbed myforehead, hard and sighed. “Are we done?”“Yes. Three officers are already on their way there with

her.” he said. “I expect you to behave yourself. Don’t ask her anyquestions about why she is there.”

“I get it.” I snapped, “Please, can I go back to bed now?”Chief Sanders grunted, “Fine. But please--”I hung up on him. It was to early to be getting lectured.The last time I had played bodyguard for someone was over

fifty years ago. But it’s one of those things you never forget howto do. It’s like babysitting, just more irritating.

Do it once and they think you will do it again, I sighed.My uncle would call back later and bitch at me for hanging

up on him, but at least I would be in a better mood then.I got up off the couch and moved quickly to the kitchen for

a quick snack.I opened the fridge and pulled out a bag of red liquid. After

cutting the corner off the blood pack, I poured it in a mug then put it in the microwave.

“I love the smell of O Negative in the morning.” I chuckledto myself.

The smell of warm blood filled the kitchen with itsintoxicating aroma. My gums started to tingle as my canines

began to extend.Grabbing a big spoon, I examined my sharp fangs.Being frozen at nineteen, not having to age, is great. You

don’t have to worry about getting wrinkles or getting grey hair or having that awful receding hairline.

I knew I would have to work on keeping my fangs hiddenfrom the girl, but had no idea how to do it. Control was never

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something I was good at. Not only did my fangs come out at the smell of blood but

my usually deep blue eyes went silver.The microwave beeped and I rushed over to take my

steaming cup of blood and went to sit at the table.

At most, I had three hours to get the house and myself ready for the girl. That meant moving the blood packs upstairs tomy room and going out to buy food to fill it with.

Quickly chugging the blood, I got up from the table anddecided it was time to go grocery shopping.

I walked in to Food Mart and grabbed a cart. I had no ideawhat to buy for her, so I walked around the store filling the cartwith a variety of items.

I left the store with thirteen bags and a couple cases of pop.After filling the fridge and cupboards, I went upstairs to set

up a room for her to stay in.Unsure, I choose the room at the far end of the hall. It haddark red walls and black furnishings.

If she didn’t like it, oh well, not my problem. I chuckleddarkly in my head.

Everything was in place when the police car arrived. Room prepared, food in the kitchen and fangs out of sight.

When the first cop brought the suitcases in, I knew I was introuble.

Luna

“Luna?” someone was shaking my shoulder. “Luna, wakeup.”

When I finally opened my eyes, I realised the cruiser hadstopped and the sky was starting to brighten.

“We’re here.” officer Brooklyn said.I nodded and got out of the car.We had stopped in front of an old looking house. It was

white with blue trims and shutters. Honestly, it looked like it wasready to fall over.

I walked slowly up the stairs and on to the porch.“Be good, and stay safe.” the officer inside told me before

all three of them went to the car and drove off, leaving me alonein the doorway of the house.

I had no idea where I was or what was going to do. First things first, I thought , shut the door.I walked around the house and was happy to see that the

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inside looked much better than the outside had.The living room had a big, expensive looking white leather

couch, matching chair and a big Plasma screen TV hanging onthe wall.

There was a large fireplace and a bay window.

The kitchen was huge. Granite counter tops, white marblefloor --same as the front hall--, dark oak cabinets and stainlesssteel fridge and stove. The white walls made the room clean andinviting.

I made my way up the twenty carpeted steps on the stair case (yes I counted) to the second floor, running the tips of myfingers along the smooth wood banister.

The walls were panelled in dark wood and made the doorsto the rooms blend in to them.

The first door I opened was a linen closet. It smelled freshand clean and made me feel like I was back at home. Funny how

familiar scents could have that effect.The second door was a bedroom. It had dark, powdery bluewalls and white baseboards. The bed had a white comforter on itand a mountain of pillows with alternating blue and white pillowcases.

I closed the door and went to explore what was behind theother four. It was almost like the game show my dad and I used towatch...

I stopped that thought right in its tracks. I would startcrying if thought too much about dad. Clearing my mind, I

pushed opened another door. It was another room, much the sameas the last one but reversed.

The walls were white, while the comforter on the bed wasthe same powdery blue as the walls in the other room.

I closed the door and continued down the hall. I was justabout to open another door until I heard a cough on the other side.

My hand froze on the knob. Making a fist, I knocked softlyon the door.

“What.” the person barked angrily.Scared, I ran down the hall and opened the first door I came

to, and shut it quietly behind me.I leaned back against the door and slid down to the floor,

head in my hands.Too much!, my mind screamed at me.I was seventeen and on my own. No one left for me to turn

to.I was alone, emotionally scarred and terrified for my

life...she would find me, and there was nothing anyone could doabout it.

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I looked up and was surprised to see my bags sitting on thefloor at the end of the big bed.

This room had crimson walls. The bed spread was black and the sheets resembled the wall colour. The pillows had silkycovers on them and the wood floor was dark.

The dark walls and furnishings were almost exactly like theones I had in my room back home.I toed off my shoes, crawled up on the bed, pushed back the

blankets and laid back. Right now I felt safe in the embrace of thesoft, warm blankets and drifted off to sleep thinking of nothing.

I didn’t think about this new town or the challenges I wasgoing to have to face.

I didn’t even think about my mother.I simply drifted off to sleep…drifted into the safety of the

darkness.

I woke up sometime later. The red silk sheets were tangledaround my legs and the comforter was halfway off the bed.Sitting up slowly and rubbed my eyes before getting out of the

bed.After pulling a brush through my tangled blond hair, I

decided it was a good time to get dressed.I was still wearing the same flannel pajama pants and

oversized sweater I had went to sleep in the previous day.Pawing through my suitcase, I pulled out a plain, grey shirt

and a pair of jeans and changed quickly. I wanted to explore therest of the house.

The second I’d finished exploring the second floor, mystomach growled. I decided to go to the kitchen and find somefood before continuing my expedition on the bottom floor.

I pulled open the swinging door, stepped through andstopped dead.

There, standing by the sink, was a man.The door swung closed and hit the back of my head,

sending me stumbling into the kitchen.“Ow.” I mumbled, rubbing my head.The man who was standing at the sink spun around and

lifted the knife he was washing up and aimed it towards me.“Ohmygod!” I screamed. Backing up so my back was

pressed against the wall I held my arms over my face.“Oh, shit.” the guy breathed. The knife clattered to the

ground. “Sorry!”Slowly, I lowered my arms. The guy had his hands in the

air, showing me that he didn’t have the knife anymore.“What is your problem?” I yelled, voice shaking.

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“I didn’t hear you come in,” he said softly, “You scaredme.”

I looked at him incredulously, “ I scared you?” I askedharshly.

He nodded slowly and raised an eyebrow.

“Well excuse me Mr. Jumpy, but if I recall correctly, you’rethe one who was going to chuck a knife at me.” I tried to rein inmy sarcasm, but slipped up a little.

“First off,” he said, holding up a finger, “It’s Tyler. Second,I didn’t hear you come in. I said I was sorry and if we want toavoid this,” he looked down at the knife then back at me, “fromhappening again, then make a noise when you enter a room.”

That was a reasonable request, “Okay. I’m Luna Weston.” Imoved away from the wall and held out a hand to Tyler, whotook it firmly in his.

His hand was warm, but the longer it held mine, the colder

his skin got. I politely took my hand back and forced a smile onmy face.“So, what’s your story?” he asked suddenly.“I’m sorry?”“Your story.” Tyler said again. “You know, the reason

you’re here...” his voice trailed off as he looked at my face.A face filled with hate, fear and anger. Hot tears began to

well in my eyes and eventually a few spilled out.I walked slowly out of the kitchen, leaving Tyler alone and

wondering what he had said to make me so upset.Until that moment, I had been able to keep my mind off of

my mother and the past. It all came flooding back at once and itwas like running into a brick wall.

The hard, cold and unavoidable truth and my unknownfuture, slapping me in the face, brought on by three seeminglyharmless words, ‘What’s your story.’

I felt very detached and light headed as I shuffled down theupstairs hall. It wasn’t until I had locked myself safely in myroom that I let the emotions take over my body.

Kneeling down the dark hardwood floor, I put my foreheadon the cold wood and cried. My breath catching every now andthen. while hot tears slid down my cheeks and splashed on thefloor.

I lost all sense of time and hadn’t even noticed that it wasdark outside until there was a light knock on the door.

I flopped over on the floor so I was lying on my back andwiped my face. “Go away.” I tried to yell but ended upwhispering instead.

There was another knock.This time I found my voice, “Go away.” I pleaded, “Please.

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Just go.”The knocks stopped, but I could still see the shadow of

Tyler from under the door.“Was it something I said?” he asked softly, then chuckled

once, “Well, obviously it was something I said.”

I crawled over to the door and turned the knob just enoughfor the button lock to release, then I crawled over to the bed andleaned against it.

Tyler opened the door, sending light from the hallwaystreaming in to my dark room.

“Wanna talk about?” he poked his head in the door.I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know.” my voice

sounded husky from crying. You sound like a man , I thought toherself and almost laughed. Almost.

Leaving the door slightly open, Tyler walked over to me,“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s not your fault.” I said, trying the hide my face fromhim. My eyes were probably red and puffy...embarrassing.“If you want to talk about it, I’ll be downstairs.” he stepped

out of the room and closed the door softly behind him.I didn’t know if I should follow him. There was something

very mysterious about Tyler that I just couldn’t understand.Going against all my better judgement –as always–, I

walked out of the dark room and went down the stairs.Tyler sitting on the couch playing a video game. Not

wanting to interrupt him, I sat on the stairs and watched.“I know you’re there.” Tyler said, sounding almost

irritated, and paused his game.“I didn’t want to disturb you.” I whispered.“Well, you didn’t.” Dammit! Why did he have to sound so

angry all the time? “Do you wanna talk?”I nodded and went to sit in the chair across from Tyler. I

would have sat next to him, or at least on the other side of thecouch, but it was like he had a barrier around him that pushed meaway.

Like a bubble made of metal.“How much do you know?” I asked abruptly.“Excuse me?” Tyler’s surprise was almost funny.“How much do you know?” I asked again, “Someone

obviously told you I was coming, and I want to know how muchyou know so I’m not telling you the same things over again.”

“I don’t know anything.” he snapped. And just like that, hewas back to his old, angry self.

“Well, I’ll start from the beginning then.” I took a deep breath, “My mother murdered my dad. She shot him, and I saweverything. I called the cops on her and she went to prison. But,

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now, she...she...”“She what Luna?” Tyler pushed.“She escaped from prison and now she is coming to find

me. She’s mad because it was me who put her away.” my eyesstarted to fill with tears again. “I’m scared, Tyler.” I whimpered.

Tyler

She had told me about her mother and what had happenedand I was just about to speak when she said, “I’m scared, Tyler.”

I felt a surge of...well, I don’t really know what I felt. It had been so long since I had felt anything but anger, that I didn’tknow what it was like to feel anything else.

Fresh tears started spilling down her cheeks and once again,I felt helpless.

She curled into a ball and hid her face with her hands. I gotup and was about to kneel next to her when the phone rang.Thank you!, I yelled in my head.I picked up the phone, “Hello?” I said frantically.“How’s it going?” my uncle asked me.What great timing the man had! “I have no idea what I am

doing!” I spat through my teeth, “She’s crying. What do I do?”My uncle snickered, “Comfort her.” he said, as if it was

obvious.“How? I have no idea what to do.”“Talk to her and try to sound nice. Don’t scare her.” and

with that, he hung up the phone.I stood there for a moment, the phone still at my ear, before

pressing end and walking back to the living room.Luna was still curled up in a ball, looking more like a child

then a teenager. And it was true, she was scared.I walked slowly up to her and sat on the floor in front of the

chair. Her heart was beating so fast and her breath was uneven.“Don’t worry.” I said, “You’ll be okay.”“Will I?” she cried, “Will I really be okay?”“Yes. You will.” it was the first thing that came into my

mind, but it sounded right..“If you say so.” she mumbled through her tears.

Luna

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So there I was, sitting in the chair, crying my eyes out,while Tyler sat on the floor and watched. It was embarrassing,degrading and stupid. He shouldn’t have to sit there and watchme.

“I’m going to my room.” I told him and I stood up slowly.

Tyler looked at me and nodded his head once. His faceseemed to soften with some unknown emotions and his blue eyeslooked confused.

“Are you going to be okay?” he asked me.I didn’t want to talk anymore, so I just nodded.My stomach snarled before I was even at the stairs. I hadn’t

eaten anything since yesterday night. The sky outside the windowwas dark and smooth.

The clock on the wall told me it was seven thirty. I hadslept for just under ten hours and cried away two more.

“You’re hungry.” Tyler said as he rose gracefully from the

couch. “I’ll make you something to eat.”This surprised me, “You cook?” I asked.His lips curved up in to an almost smile, “Not very well.”

he admitted.“I’m fine,” even though I was hungry, food wasn’t going to

comfort me right now, “really.”The look on his face showed he clearly didn’t believe me,

but he didn’t make me stay either, “Come down if you gethungry,” Tyler’s voice was cautious, then he added, “Please,don’t pass out.”

I couldn’t help but smile and turned back to the stairs.My room was dark and warm. Wiping away tears with my

sleeve, I started to unpack. During this process, it came to myattention that my wardrobe was very plain...boring, even.

The only dressy item I owned was a crimson coloured silk blouse that never got worn. With a sigh, I continued to hang andfold my clothes.

Once I was done, there was little else to do and my optionswere limited. I either went downstairs and watched Tyler playvideo games, or I stayed up here.

Life in this house was going to be dull, not that I did muchwhen I lived in Felton County but at least I had the freedom to goout if I wanted. Pulling at my last little bit of courage I decidedoption one was better than moping.

I changed into a pair of baggy sweat pants and an oversizedsweater before going back to the living room...back to Tyler’scritical gaze.

Tyler

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I had made her smile. Me, the grumpy, cold heartedvampire had made her smile. For a brief moment, she hadsomething to smile about...though, I’m sure what that somethingwas.

He violet, gold-flecked eyes had stunned me the first time Isaw her in the kitchen. It was probably the only reason I didn’taccidentally kill her.

There was fear in those eyes and secrets I couldn’t even begin to understand. Luna’s hair was the perfect shade of honeyand it complimented the pallor of her skin with it’s intensity.

My thoughts were halted when I heard the almost inaudiblecreak of the floor above my head. Luna was up, and she’ddecided to come back down.

I got up quickly and breezed into the kitchen to start her dinner. Living with a human was such a demanding job! For me,

dinner consisted of a blood pack, so I wasn’t used to preparinghuman food.She was getting closer and I braced myself for the impact

of her emotions as I continued to mix, chop and stir.

Luna

I pushed open the swinging kitchen door and carefullystepped in. Tyler was standing in front of the stove wearing amuscle hugging t-shirt and jeans.

He turned and smiled at me crookedly, his indigo eyes bright, and made my heart shutter. He looked so perfect, so hot,so…dangerous.

“What are you cooking?” I asked timidly.“I’m making you a burger,” he said and flipped the patty. It

sizzled as the raw side hit the pan.Joke time, I thought and then smiled evilly in my head.“Oh, that’s nice of you Tyler, but…” my voice trailed off as

Tyler’s head snapped up.“But what?” he asked suspiciously.“But I’m a vegetarian,” I lied, “I don’t eat meat.”His face froze with an expression of surprise, frustration

and guilt. He looked at the burger in the pan and then back at me.I started laughing and Tyler stared at me like I was crazy,

“Just kidding,” I snickered, never being much of a good liar, “I’m just messing with you.”

Tyler scowled at me for a moment and then his expressionsoftened and he laughed with me.

He was a great cook, though he’d never admit to it. The

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burger was cooked to perfection and, as much as I hate to say it,it was better then the one’s my grandma used to make.

Tyler cleaned while I ate and then sat with me when he wasdone.

“Aren’t you hungry too?” I asked.

“I already ate,” he shrugged and got up from the table, “Ihave to go out for a few minutes, will you be okay here?”I nodded and was about to ask him where he was going

when he walked out the side door in the kitchen.“Bye,” I whispered.

Chapter 2

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Tyler

When Luna laughed I felt my heart ache. Her smile wasgorgeous, just like the rest of her features and it pained me toleave her alone in the house while I left to feed.

How much trouble could a little seventeen year old girl getin to? I would only be gone for five, maybe six minutes and shewas still eating.

I’ll be back before she finishes her dinner, I told myself as Iran down the driveway faster then a bullet fired from a gun.Within two minutes, I was at the towns clinic.

I snuck through the always open cellar doors and bouncedsoundlessly down a set of aging, wooden stairs.

“Tyler!” the guard at the door smiled at me warmly, “Goodto see you. It’s been a while.”

Not wanting to be rude, I gave him a smile and a slap onthe shoulder as I passed and entered Turning Point, theunderground vamp club. I went straight past the dance floor where a large group of vampires were jumping and swaying tothe beat of the music.

Going through yet another door, I went to the back roomand chugged down three blood packs before going back out to themain part of the club, past the guard and back up the ricketywooden stairs. I would have done this at home, but I didn’t wantthe girl to ask questions…not that she would ever find out what Iwas drinking.

All this was done in under thirty seconds and I made it back to the house in under two minutes.

As predicted, Luna was still eating and her face lit up as shesaw me come in the door.

“Walk?” Luna asked me, getting up from the table to washher plate.

“Something like that,” I muttered and took the plate out of her hands.

“Hey!” she protested and reached for the stolen plate.I smiled and held it above my head. She jumped up and

down trying to get it and finally gave up.“Fine, you do it,” she glared at me as I laughed.Luna angry was like seeing a kitten attacking a ball of yarn.

In her own mind she was fierce but to the people around her, shewas adorable and harmless.

“Go watch TV,” I chuckled and turned on the tap.

Luna

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I sauntered back in to the living room, feet dragging, as Ilistened to Tyler’s musical laugh. Plopping down on the couch, Igrabbed a remote and pressed the power button.

Sound came on, but there was no picture on the TV. I tried

another remote and the stereo on the other side of the roomturned on.“Okay, maybe this one,” I said. The TV screen lit up, but

still, there was no picture.Why did men need to own such infuriatingly complex

electronics? I was just about to chuck the remote at the wall whenit was pulled from my hand.

I gasped and nearly had a heart attack.“Now, now,” Tyler’s smile was amused, “let’s not break

anything. Would you like some help?”“Yes please,” I mumbled.

He walked around the couch, grabbed a remote off thecoffee table and waved it in my face, “This one,” he explained,“turns on the cable box.”

“It’s so confusing,” I complained, “Can I go outside?”“Yah, just don’t go to far.” Tyler yawned and sat down.I rolled my eyes, “Are you my bodyguard or something?”“I guess you could say that,” he yawned again and within

seconds, he was sleeping.Quietly, I crept up the stairs and headed off to my room to

get my shoes. He probably wouldn’t remember that littleconversation so I figured it would be best to leave a note.

I found a scrap piece of paper and a Sharpe, wrote the noteand placed it gently on his chest before leaving.

The air outside was fragrant and warm. It smelled like rain,flowers and fresh cut grass. The moon shone brightly in the

black, star dotted sky, and made the trees look slightly creepy.I left the front on the house and followed a small stone path

around the side towards the backyard. The yard looked more likea football field --just without the goal posts-- and had a naturalfence of trees and bushes.

It was beautiful. I made my way slowly to the middle of field-like lawn and sat down on the thick grass before laying back and staring at the stars.

My world was slowly crashing down on me so it was niceto find something that hadn’t changed. I looked at the sky and

picked out the different constellations.I picked a couple flowers and made a crown --like I use to

do when I little-- and placed it on the ground beside me.Yes, finding this one little part of my life that didn’t suck

was comforting and didn’t bring back any haunting memories of

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my tragic past.It was a good thing I’d lived alone in Felton and didn’t

have any pets. I would bet my last twenty dollars that no oneeven noticed that I was gone. But I guess that isn’t a bad thing.

When you have nothing to live for, it’s easy to leave that

part of you behind and if you don’t have any friends or obligations it’s even easier to walk away.I let out a huge sigh and rolled over onto my side feeling

depressed, I thought about Tyler instead.His muscular build, the way his dark brown hair fell into

his indigo eyes, how his lips curved when he did thatheartbreaking crooked smile…the way he watched me so

protectively.I spun the ring of flowers around on my finger until it broke

apart. Yes, Tyler was gorgeous and probably had girls followinghim everywhere he went. He would never be interested in anyone

like me.A plain, boring and very average teenage girl with moreissues than I cared to think about. I could remember when I usedto wish I looked like the models in the magazines I bought.

I would stand in front of a mirror wearing only my bra andunderwear, trying to imagine the way I would look if I was thatskinny, or that pretty. But at the end of the day, I was still me.Boring little Luna Weston…everyone’s favourite Luna tic as Iwas so commonly referred to in high school.

Getting up from the grass, I walked over to the thick barrier of trees surrounding the yard and just walked. I didn’t think,didn’t watch where I was going, just walked.

It wasn’t until I snapped out of my little trance that Irealised how far I had actually gone. I spun around in circlesfrantically trying to find anything that looked familiar.

I started walking and came out of the forest near a lake.Water lilies bobbed up and down in the water, frogs croaked andcrickets chirped.

A willow tree’s branches dipped gently in the water as thewind rustled through it. The light from the moon made the wholescene look like something from a story book and I had to rub myeyes to make sure I wasn’t just imagining it.

I took a few steps forward and stopped as a little cluster of fireflies flew around me, making the little open area at the edgeof the lake look that much more magical.

The outside world no longer mattered. The worries plaguing my mind didn’t matter either. All that mattered was thislittle alcove hidden deep in the forest beside the water lily filledlake.

Moving my feet forward, I went over to the willow tree and

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sat down, leaning my back against the trunk. My eyes slowlyclosed and I fell asleep in this perfect little haven I had justdiscovered.

Tyler

I paced back and forth across the length of the living roomand read her note again.

I wrote you this note to let you know I wasgoing out for a walk. You said it was okay, but Ifigured you would forget. The current time is7:30pm. I’ll be back in an hour.

~L

unaThe hour had come and gone long ago. It was almost 11:30

and I was getting worried.“Why did I let her go alone?” I asked myself out loud. This

was no time to be slacking off.My mind raced as I paced. It was obvious that she

hadn’t come back, her scent was weak and I would haveheard the door open...even though I didn’t hear her leave.

If she wasn’t back in five minutes, I would go look for her. It was dark and if she’d wondered in to the woods...no,

I wasn’t going to wait.I slipped on my shoes and ran out the door, followingher scent around to the back of the house. There was a patchof grass in the middle of the lawn that had been flattened,meaning she had been there.

My head began to spin as I realized where her scentled me next...Luna had gone into the forest.

“Shit!” I growled and took off at full speed throughthe trees. This girl sure could move! I must have gone atleast two miles before I lost her trail. I stopped quickly anddoubled back around. She had made a sharp left.

Once again, I took off running and before long I cameto a little clearing in the forest by the lake.I looked around the area, my vision not impaired by

the dark –it just had blue-purple tint– and found her.Luna was curled under the swaying branches of the

willow tree, deep in sleep. Her blond hair was tangled andfull of leaves.

I picked up the sleeping girl and was surprised at how

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little she weighed. She stirred as I began to run back to thehouse.

How long had she been walking, wondering,sleeping? Taking her up to her room, I placed her gently inthe bed and pulled a blanket over her.

So many things could have happened to her while shewas lying helpless in the little bubble of space in the forest.Wolves, cougars, mountain lions...vampires all hid in theforest.

My gums started to tingle as I watched her sleep. Ithad been hours since I’d last fed and my control was slowlyslipping.

Her safety came first.I left the room and walked down the hall to my room.

The mini fridge containing my stash of blood packs washidden in my closet. I picked up a straw from my dresser

and went to the closet.Holding my finger over one end of the straw, I pierced the bag and walked over to the bed, not caring thatthe blood was cold.

I turned on the TV, sat on the end of the bed and atemy dinner.

Luna

I woke up feeling stiff. My eyes opened slowly and Itensed up.

This is not where I fell asleep , I thought and sat upquickly...too quickly. I let myself fall back into the softembrace of the pillows.

Then something occurred to me. Tyler must have brought me home...but how did he find me?

Sitting up slowly, I slid out of the bed and went tofind Tyler.

“You’re up,” he said, and then smiled, “Nice hair.”My hands flew up to my head and I pulled my fingers

through my hair...or at least I tried to. It was full of leavesand knots.

I could feel my face growing hotter and hotter by thesecond. Out of shear embarrassment I turned around andwalked back up the stairs as calmly as I could.

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“Where are you going?” he asked me.“Shower,” I mumbled.The shower was relaxing and helped loosen my stiff

muscles. It must have taken me an hour to get all the leavesout of my hair and pull out the knots–with the help of my

conditioner and comb.I stepped out feeling much better, until I realized theonly clothes I had were the dirt covered, burr filled sweater and pants I’d worn last night.

If I put them back on, the burr’s would get stuck inmy hair, but if I didn’t, then I would be forced to run downthe hall to my room wearing nothing but a towel.

Pulling the towel snugly around me, I clamped myarms to my side, picked up my soiled clothes and openedthe door.

And stopped.

Tyler just had to be walking past the washroom thesecond I wanted to leave, didn’t he?My hair clung to my face and shoulders and dripped

down my back, leaving a puddle behind me on the floor.Horrified, I slammed the door shut and pressed up

against it.“I’m going downstairs,” Tyler said quickly and I

heard the sound of his feet stomping down the stairs.This time, I opened the door slowly and peeked down

the hall before running out of the washroom.I made it back to my room without any other

incidents. Dropping my clothes in the laundry hamper bythe dresser, I went to the closet and picked out jeans and a t-shirt.

I shook out my hair and parted it to the side beforeleaving my room.

Tyler was sitting on the couch watching a footballgame –typical man.

“Did you bring me in last night?” I asked as I sat atthe other end of the white leather couch.

“Yes,” he said and then jumped to his feet as a player got a touch down, “High five!” Tyler yelled.

Stunned, I tapped his hand gently.His face went blank, “Are you serious?” he sneered,

“You can do better than that.”Again, Tyler held his hand up. He wanted better, did

he? Okay, I could do that. My hand flew forward and hithis.

“There we go!” he smiled happily, “Much better.”“How did you find me?” I asked him, my hand

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tingling from giving him a high five.“Are you hungry? Come on, I’ll make you some

lunch.” Tyler was avoiding my question.“Sure...right after you answer my question.” I said

stubbornly crossing my arms.

He sighed and sank back down to the couch, “Ifollowed your foot prints.”Tyler’s gem-like eyes told me he was hiding

something. Not wanting to push him to far, I nodded.“What do you want for lunch?” he asked me.“BLT, on whole grain toasted bread with a little

mayo...please.”“Do I look like your personal chief?” Tyler growled.“You asked me what I wanted,” this guy had more

mood swings in a day then I had in a year, “remember?”He looked like he was going to start yelling but I beat

him to the punch, “You know what? Take some Midol or something and drink some hot tea, it helps with PMS.”I turned around and went to the kitchen, leaving Tyler

opened mouthed and shocked in the living room.Feeling triumphant, I made myself a sandwich and sat

at the table. There was a map sitting in the centre of thetable, so I began to study it as I ate.

It was a map of the town. The town called Red River Valley.

I folded the map up and stuffed it in the pocket of my jeans. This time when I went out, I would know exactlywhere I was going.

Smirking, I washed my plate and practically skippedout of the kitchen and past the still stunned Tyler.

“I’m going out.” I told Tyler as I slipped on my shoes.“Where are you going?” he asked in a cold tone.“Why do you care?” I countered and walked out the

door.I hadn’t been outside during the day in almost a week,

so it was nice to feel the warm rays of sunlight on my face.With the map still in my pocket and a wad of cash in

the other, I walked down the gravel driveway, turned left atthe road and made my way towards the main part of town.

Mentally, I made a list of things to buy. Shirts, jeans,socks...and a present for Tyler.

The downtown area was cute. It looked old and stillhad many of it’s original structures.

I found some great deals in the discount store and leftthree bags heavier. I got tampons and a brush from

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Pauline’s Pharmacy before I decided to head home.Home. It was weird to think of the old house on the

hill that way. But I guess that’s what it is...for now anyway.Tyler was sitting on the couch when I walked in. He

didn’t turn as I walked by him.

As a joke, I’d gotten some wrapping paper at thedollar store. Now the box was wrapped neatly, completewith a blue bow.

“Here,” I coughed back a laugh and threw the box onhis lap, “I got you something.”

He looked up at me, “Thanks,” he smiled.You won’t be so happy once you open it , I thought and

went up to my room.I stood in front of my room, hand on the doorknob

and waited. I could hear the faint rip of paper and then, “Oh,Shit!” followed by the sound of the box hitting the wall.

Turning the handle I fell in to the room and startedlaughing.

Tyler

I stood like a deer in headlights, staring at the little blue box that now sat on the floor. Luna was still laughinghysterically upstairs, obviously pleased with the little trick she’d played on me.

Hesitantly, I walked over and picked up the box of tampons. She didn’t seem like the type of person who gotangry easily, so I must have done something wrong.

If I didn’t apologize to her she might play another prank on me...and that one would probably be worse than aharmless box of tampons.

When Luna walked in the door her violet gold-fleckedeyes had been gleaming. I just thought she was happy, but Iguess I was wrong.

Luna

The look on his face would have been amazing! I’monly sorry that I wasn’t there to see it.

I began to put my new clothes away in the closet,feeling proud of myself.

“Luna?” Tyler’s voice came from down the hall.Irritated, I pulled my door open and went out to the

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hall. Tyler was standing near the top of the stairs, watchingme.

“Are you just going to stare at me or do you havesomething to say?” my voice sounded harsh, even to me.

“Um...no...I mean, yes,” Tyler stuttered, “I came to

say sorry.”“That’s nice,” I gave him the bitchiest smile I couldconjure up, “Now go away.”

I walked back in the room and slammed the door. Iwanted nothing more then to be left alone in the darkness of my room.

This was not the way I saw my life turning out. I wasrunning away from the town I grew up in and hiding from a

person no child should have to hide from.It was one of those times when you wish you could

swap lives with someone else, just to get away...even if it’s

only for a day.But that just doesn’t happen. Just like the first day Ihad come here, the brick wall of reality hit me head on atfull force. Tyler didn’t want to babysit anymore than Iwanted to be stuck here. I could see it every time his indigoeyes met mine.

I wouldn’t be able to stay in the house all the time, notwhen Tyler’s mood swings were so unpredictable.Tomorrow I would go back in to town and look for a job.That way I could have money, and stay sane.

Why wait?, a small part of my brain asked me. It wasright, why wait?

Pulling my sweater back on, I ran back downstairsand right past Tyler without a word. I slipped on mysneakers and left.

“You can start now!” the manager of the Grind’s Cafésaid, “Welcome to the team!”

Making coffee wasn’t really my dream job butnowhere else in town was hiring. Beggars can’t be choosers,I thought.

“Scarlet will show you where everything is and willteach you everything you need to know.” Lucy, themanager, smiled as she pointed to a girl standing at thecounter.

“Hey,” Scarlet said and walked over to where I wasstanding, “It’s nice to meet you.”

Lucy walked away and started yelling out orders tothe other workers.

Scarlet had long dirty blond hair with bright red

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streaks and bright hazel eyes.“Okay, so let’s start with the espresso machine,”

Scarlet said and pulled me by the elbow to a machine with a bunch of nozzles, “It’s not as hard as it looks.” she laughed.

“I’ll take your word for it,” I mumbled and tried to

focus on what she was telling me.Three very long hours later, I had learned how tomake espresso’s, latte’s and use the coffee maker.

“Oh, joy.” Scarlet whispered and flung the towel shewas using to dry cups over her shoulder.

“What?” I asked.“Athena Flannery,” she said, her voice low.“Well, look who it is,” the red haired girl smiled, “my

friend Scarlet...who are you?” Athena asked souding almostdisgusted.

“Luna,” I said with confidence.

“Huh, you must be new.”“Look, we have stuff to do, so order or get out.”Scarlet snapped.

Athena gave her a stern look, “Usual’s,” she said andthen walked away, three girls following behind her.

Scarlet whipped up three latte’s and a cappuccino andthen called one of the waitress’s to take the drinks to their table.

I was about to ask her another question when the bellson the door chimed. Tuning my head I felt my eyes widen atthe sight that was walking towards me.

He had cropped black hair and dark green eyes.“Hey Scarlet,” he said and sat down in one of the

stools by the counter, “Who’s your friend.”“Luna,” Scarlet smiled and went to fix another drink.“I’m Hudson Flint,” he held out his hand.I put my hand in his, expecting him to shake it.

Instead, Hudson kissed the top of my hand with his soft lips.My heart sped up and I tried not blush.

“Nice to meet you,” I said, trying to keep my cool.Scarlet put a coffee mug on the counter top and slid it

down to him. Hudson stayed at the café until closing.“Would you like a ride home?” he asked me, “You

shouldn’t be walking alone in the dark.”Was this gorgeous creature talking to me? Offering to

give me a ride home?“Sure,” I smiled, “A ride...that would be great.”“Great. Scarlet, I’m stealing Luna.” he called and then

looked at me, “Let’s go.”Hudson opened the passenger door for me and closed

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it once I was in. I explained to him that I didn’t knowexactly where I lived, but I knew how to get there.

“Just stop here,” I pointed to the end of the driveway.“You live here?” Hudson seemed shocked.I nodded, “Thanks for the ride.” I opened the door and

was about to get out when Hudson grabbed arm.There was a gleam in his eyes as he leaned forward.His lips touched mine softly and I froze.

Was this really happening?He pulled away, a look of guilt and embarrassment on

his face, “Sorry,” he mumbled.What happened next was all me. I grabbed the back of

his neck and pulled him towards me. I had never doneanything like this before...not with a guy I’d just metanyway.

I pushed away, took a pen out of my purse and

grabbed his arm. “It’s my cell number,” I said when he gaveme a strange look.I got out of the car without another word and walked,

light headed, down the driveway.Tyler looked frantic when I walked in the door.“Where have you been?” he snapped angrily.“Work.” I glared at him.“Work?” his face looked shocked and he began to

laugh.“Yes, work. I got a job.” what was so hard to

understand?“Why?”“Do you really want to know?” I asked him. Tyler

nodded, “Because I can’t stand to be around here all thetime with you and your constant mood swings. Don’t look at me like that, you wanted to know.” he was looking at me,mouth half open, his face twisted with hurt.

After that, we really didn’t talk much. I started goingout with Hudson Flint, made my own meals and if I wasn’tat work, I was in my room.

Tyler would go out at night and sleep all day, so Ivery rarely saw him. Hudson started coming over to thehouse more and more as the weeks went by. And tonightwas going to be fun.

Hudson had gotten us a reservation at a really fancyrestaurant just outside of town. When I found out, the firstthing I did was tell Scarlet. We giggled and then Iremembered something of the utmost importance...I hadnothing to wear.

“Don’t worry!” Scarlet beamed, “I will help you find

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the perfect dress!”She didn’t let me down. Scarlet picked out a beautiful,

soft blue strapless dress and a pair of black stilettoes.After wishing me luck on my date, I went home and

started getting ready.

I had only three short hours until Hudson came to pick me up. First, I showered and shaved my legs. Second, Idried and styled my hair in a simply up-do thatcomplimented the dress.

Make-up was next, and since I didn’t usually wear any, it took the longest.

Today was also a day that Tyler was actually up. Hehad been sitting on the couch when I’d gotten home and – like always– I walked past him as if I didn’t notice his

presence.Standing in front of the full length mirror behind the

door in my room, I studied my outfit. The thee inchstilettoes gave my short five-foot three inch self enoughheight that I would almost be as tall as Hudson.

Knowing he would get here at any minute I grabbedmy clutch, opened my door and almost ran into Tyler.

He had his fist raised in the air, like he was about toknock on the door. Tyler took a step back and I watched ashis jaw dropped when he saw my outfit.

Light blue dress that draped down to the middle of my thigh, stilettos and makeup...this was a side of me hehad never seen before.

“You look amazing,” he chocked out finally.“Thanks,” it was the best conversation we’d had in

almost two months, “I have to go.”There was a flash of anger in his indigo eyes and,

though I tried to ignore it, I just couldn’t.“What is your problem?” my voice went up a few

octaves.“I don’t know what you mean?” he asked me, his

tone growing harsh.“Don’t play stupid with me, Tyler.” I growled. My

grip tightened on my clutch.“I...never mind.” he started to walk away.“Don’t run away from me!” I yelled, but he kept

going.Eyes filled with resentment, secrets and anger

beyond anything I had ever seen before. He screameddanger, radiated hatred and spoke coldly.

Tyler was keeping something from me, and I wasgoing to figure out what it was, even if it took me

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forever...even if it killed me.

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Chapter 3

I followed him down the stairs as fast as I could inheels. The dress made little swishing noises and I went.

“Don’t run away from me!” I yelled again, “Whatare you hiding from me?”

Tyler was saved by a knock on the door and Hudsonwalked in, “I heard yelling,” his voice was distressed, “Iseverything okay?”

I nodded and took a deep breath, “Yah. Fine.”“Let’s go then,” he smiled his perfect smile and

held his arm out to me, “We don’t want to be late.”Taking his arm, I let Hudson lead me out of the

house and to his car. I felt Tyler’s gaze on my back as weleft.

Good or bad, it was still the most we’d talked in along time.“I don’t like the way he watches you,” Hudson said

as he drove down the street away from Red River, “it’screepy.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking aboutHudson,” I sighed and looked out the window, watchingthe trees whip past the speeding car.

“I think I do,” he grumbled. If there was one thing Ihave learned about Hudson, it’s that he hates to be wrong.

“No. You don’t.”

“Don’t tell me what I know or don’t know, Luna, because I know what I saw,” Hudson snapped,“he’s...protective of you but that’s not why I’m mad. Thereis more than protectiveness in those eyes.”

My breath caught as Hudson spoke.“It’s like the way I look at you...” his voice trailed

off, “It’s love, Luna. He looks at you like he loves you.”I couldn’t talk, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t even

blink. “That’s crazy,” I said after a moment of shock,“Besides, all we ever do is fight...and that’s when weactually feel like talking to each other. You have nothing to

worry about.”When I get home , I thought, he’s going to get it .Little did I know that I would be getting back sooner thanexpected…

Tyler

She looked beautiful and happy...happy until she

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saw me standing outside her door.I still don‘t know what I said to make her so angry

with me.Luna looked at that sleaze ball Hudson with such

affection and love that it tore me to pieces. He’d seen me

watching her as they left and I know what he saw in myeyes.Stretching out on my bed, I threw the empty blood

pack across the room to join the others in the corner. Myfloor was covered with empty bags and straws.

What a way to spend my night...drinking blood andwatching TV, but I could hardly stand to be around Lunawhen she was so pissy.

She was hurting and I wasn’t helping her...I wasn’tdoing my job. Luna was running around town by herself and that could be dangerous. The only good thing about

Hudson was that he kept her mind off of her mother.Maybe that was the problem. Her being here was aconstant reminder of what she was running from and beingaway helped her forget.

Being with him helped her forget.I heard the yelling before the front door was even

open.“I can’t believe you!” Luna screamed, “How could

you think that?”“You’re not telling me that I’m wrong!” Hudson

yelled back, “I’m right and you’re wrong.”“You’re such an asshol--” Luna started to say but

didn’t get to finish.There was a loud slap , “You never talk to me like

that!” Hudson bellowed.I couldn’t listen to anymore. I ran out of my room –

at human speed– and went straight down the stairs.Luna was pressed up against the door, her hand held

against the left side of her face and her violet eyes spillingtears.

He’d hit her. And was about to hit her again when Irushed over. Grabbing the back of his collar, I threw himagainst the wall and watched as Luna ran towards me.

Her cheek was bright red and had the distinctoutline of a hand on it.

“Come any closer you bastard and I swear to godyou will be sorry.” I snarled, “You never hit a girl!”

If I had been along with this douche bag, I wouldhave already pounded his head into the dirt outside. But Iwasn’t alone and Luna was watching me intently, eyes

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wide, like she’d just realized an important piece of information.

“No, Hudson!” Luna screamed, “Don’t!”This guy just couldn’t listen, could he? I smiled as

the football jock ran towards me. Making sure Luna wasn’t

directly behind me, I stepped to the side at the last minuteand stuck out my foot.Hudson tripped and did a face plant right in to the

marble tiles. He growled in agony as he slid across thefloor, leaving a trail of smeared blood on the ground.

“Please don’t make me have to try,” I chortled, “Idon’t want to upset Luna.”

He got up and looked straight at me, face covered in blood…not good.

I could feel my fangs begin to extended and knewmy eyes would soon gloss over into the incandescent silver,

“I think you should leave now.” I struggled to keepcomposed, “I meant it, now.” I said again when he didn’tmove.

After glaring at me and Luna for a moment longer he wiped is face with his sleeve and left.

Something was changing. The weight of the houseseemed to increase with each passing second, pressingdown on me like a ton of bricks.

It wasn’t the house itself, but something insideit...no not something...someone.

“Luna are you–” I started to asked but she cut me off.“You’re hiding something from me,” she said through

her teeth, “and I want to know what.”I staggered back. Luna actually looked scary. No

longer a fluffy little kitten attacking a ball of yarn, she hadtransformed in to a tiger moving in for the kill.

Her eyes never left my face and her body never relaxed. She was staring almost like she was trying to sear ahole right through me. How could something so small...sofragile, be so absolutely terrifying?

“I don’t know what you mean,” I stammered.Luna took a step towards me, looking deathly

beautiful in her soft blue dress, and narrowed her eyes.“Do not lie to me,” she snarled, “You know exactly

what I mean and if you don’t tell me right now...” her handsstarted to flex and she breathed out angrily.

“Let’s just...sit down and talk about this,” why was Iscared of this little girl? This mortal?

“I don’t want to calm down!” she yelled, “I want youto tell me the truth! I want to know how you feel and what

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you are…because you are not human.”I could feel my anger growing in correlation to

Luna’s. I wasn’t scared of her, I was scared of hurting her.“If I’m going to tell you Luna, then you have to calm down

and I think it would be best if you sat on the couch.” I growled

through clenched teeth.She walked over to the couch, high heels clicking on themarble then hardwood floor. Before sitting, I went to the kitchenand put some ice in a dish towel.

I handed her the towel and sat at the other end of the couchand watched as Luna pressed the ice to her cheek.

“I know you think that I don’t like you--” I began.“I don’t think,” Luna cut me off, her voice still severe, “I

know you don’t like me.”“You’re wrong,” I murmured, “I love you Luna, I just don’t

know how to show you…how to express it. I have a secret, and

before I tell you, Luna, you must promise not to tell anyone,ever.”Luna’s brow furrowed and her lips we set in the most

adorable pout, “Fine,” she grumbled, “I promise.”I took a deep breath in, “I’m a vampire.”

Luna

I just stared at him, “Don’t bullshit me, Tyler!” I screamed,“Tell me the truth!”

“I just did,” he whispered almost inaudibly.Again, my anger began to bubble, “You bastard !” I

shrieked, pulled some ice out of the towel and chucked it atTyler’s head, “You asshole !”

Tyler sat on the couch a look of guilt, embarrassment andhurt on his face. He didn’t even flinch when the ice smacked him.

“Stop lying to me!” I cried and started pacing. My stupidheels kept clicking when I walked, annoying me, so I pulled themoff and threw them across the room. They tumbled to a stop near the kitchen door.

His body tensed and I could tell by the way his face was setthat he was about to lash out. I was right.

“What proof do you want?” he asked me, his face wastwisted with anger, “Do you want me to break the couch?” Tyler

punched the couch and I watched in horror as it split in two.“Maybe I should drink your blood,” when Tyler said this

his voice was low and deadly.He was standing in front of me then--moving to fast for my

eyes to see-- and he grabbed my wrist. Tyler lifted it up to his

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face and ran his nose up to the crease of my elbow and then back down to my wrist.

Frozen in fear I watched as he did it again. When he lookedup, I screamed an ear shattering scream.

Tyler’s eyes where glowing sliver and fangs were visible in

his evil smile. He pushed my arm away from him with such forcethat went tumbling to the ground.Ohmygod, I thought, I’m going to die.My hair was falling out of the bobby pins and hanging in

front of my face while the dress pooled around me on thehardwood floor. Breath coming fast, I got back up on to my feet.

Tyler was slowly circling around me, moving closer withevery round, “Do you believe me now?” he asked.

“No,” if he wanted to be an ass I would be a bitch.“You are really starting to piss me off girl.” he snarled.“Oh, yah?” I crossed my arms and stood up as tall as I

could, “What are you going to do about it?”His circling stopped for a moment and then picked up againat twice the speed, “What am I going to do about?” he laughed,“What am I going to do?” Then he was behind me.

Grabbing my arm Tyler spun me around and wrapped hisarms around my waist.

“This,” he whispered and pressed in lips gently to mine.All the fear I had been feeling melted away as Tyler held

me in his arms. This was nothing like kissing Hudson, who wasdemanding and sloppy. Tyler’s lips were soft and cool againstmine.

And just like that it was over and Tyler was standing at theother end of the room breathing heavily. “I understand if younever want to talk to me again,” his arms trembled by his sides,“But just know that I will always watch out for you.”

Then he was gone.

I sat on my bed with a blanket over my shoulders, cuddlinga pillow. He said he loved me and I called him an asshole.

Another tear fell from my eye and I wiped it away furiouslywith the back of my hand. I needed to get out of here, sitting herealone in my room just made the events of tonight worse.

Pulling a sweater off a hanger in the closet and putting it onI grabbed my shoes and ran down the stairs and out the door fighting tears the entire time.

I wondered aimlessly through the forest behind the houseonly wish I could lose myself in it or go back in time to changeeverything that had gone wrong in the past three months.

It took me a moment to realise that I was standing in thelittle hidden alcove by the lake.

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Water lilies still bobbed, frogs croaked and crickets chirped but this time it didn’t seem so magical, even with the fireflies thatcircled around me.

Tulips swayed gently in the soft breeze that blew aroundthe little pocket of space. The willows branches rustled and

spilled into the water. The full moon glowed in the dark purplesky and reflected brightly off the lake.I heard the snapping of twigs behind me and when I turned

around there was figure standing at the fringe of the forest.“Why are you out here all alone?” they asked softly.“Go away,” I groaned, “Leave.”He was standing next to me in an instant, a sly smile

plastered on his face, “But I like it here.”“What do you want?” my voice trembled as the vampire

stepped closer to me.“You smell delightful,” he almost sighed and breathed

deeply, “Yes, I might keep you.”“Like, personal space.” I sounded like a preppy ditz as I pushed the vampires face an arms length away.

“Yes, I like you.” said the vampire and took a step forward,“You have attitude.”

Suddenly the vampire was gone and Tyler was standing between us, just like he had done with Hudson.

“Ah, Tyler,” the vamp smiled and got up from the ground,“How nice to see you again.”

“Afraid I can’t say the same about you, Dorian,” Tyler saidcalmly.

“I was just telling that girl there how much I liked her attitude,” Dorian laughed, “until you so rudely interrupted.”

I watched as Tyler’s muscles tensed under his tight blueshirt, “My apologizes, but I should really be taking her back home now,” he turned to face me, “You must be cold in thatdress.”

Oh shit! I looked down at the dress and saw it was ripped, pulled and covered with dirt and burrs. That was a waste of ninety-five bucks.

My thin sweater was also covered in burrs but hid my bareshoulders. I nodded and started walking when Tyler pulled me

back behind him.“Back off Dorian,” he said and feral growl escaped from

his perfect lips.“You always were a hot head, Ambers,” Dorian’s laugh

was dark and made my skin crawl.“Not right now,” his voice was soft but full of warning,

“Not in front of the girl.”It bugged me how everyone kept calling me girl , I did have

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a name.“Afraid you’re going to lose cousin?” the vampire mocked,

“Maybe she would enjoy the show.”Dorian grabbed Tyler by the front of his shirt, lifted him

over his head and threw. Tyler landed on his feet and slid back

before flashing forward and grabbing his cousin threw him awayfrom me.“Stay behind me,” Tyler yelled and crouched down, ready

to pounce at a moments notice. He looked like a tiger. Movingswiftly and attacking with precision.

The two of them growled, snarled, lunged and threw punches while I watched.

“I can see you’re not giving up tonight,” Dorian soundedexhausted, “but I will be back.”

Tyler waited until Dorian was out of sight then he scoopedme up into his arms and started running. The tress blurred and

streaked as he ran.“Are you okay?” I asked Tyler once he put down.“Yes, yes. I’m fine,” he was edgy and pushed me through

the now open side door, “Get in side.”I turned around and slapped his arm, “Stop pushing.”The image of Dorian’s face in the light from the moon was

still fresh in my mind. He had grey eyes and long blond hair thatwas pulled back in a pony tail near the nape of his neck.

“I’m going up stairs,” my ruined dress would have to bethrown out and that really sucked.

Tyler

I waited until Luna was upstairs before picking the cordless phone from it’s dock.

“Chief Sanders,” my uncle answered.“Shut the hell up and listen,” I spat, “We have a problem.”“What kind of a problem?” he asked, “Is the girl alright?”“Yes, she’s fine. For now. Dorian is back.”“Shit,” he growled, “Keep her inside, and I’m going to send

some vampire out your way to patrol the area around the house.Any news about her mother?”

“No.” I sighed.“Good, let’s hope it stays that way.” he said and then the

line went dead.

Luna

Hudson’s handprint was still faintly visible on my face. If Iever saw the guy again I would kick him so hard in the balls he’d

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be begging for death.Tyler was talking on the phone downstairs so I stayed in

my room. The dress was lying flat on the edge of the bed lookinggross.

Three quick knocks on the door made me jump, “Come in,”

I sighed, knowing he could hear me.The door opened slowly and revealed Tyler standing in thedoorway. He had shadows under his eyes and his shoulders wereslouched with exhaustion. I wanted to go over to him, but thefaint silver glaze on his eyes stopped me.

When he spoke, his voice was cold as ice, “Don’t gooutside,” Tyler pushed away from the frame, “not unless youwant to get attacked by a vampire.”

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