Mariah looked in the mirror again. She looked terrible. Weeks of no sleep and chasing vampires was taking its toll on her. "You know you should rest Mariah, if someone needs us, I can wake you." Katrina offered. Her sister was more exhausted than she was.

"No thats alright Kat, I need to go out again, you get some rest. I'll call you if anything comes up." Mariah answered as she walked over to the suitcase she kept all her belongings in. She sorted through the suitcase until she found the items she wanted: A black pair of baggy jeans with a belt, a low cut black tank top, some chains, a leather bracelet, a collar and a few pieces of gothic jewelry. After putting these items on, she pulled her black hair back into a ponytail with a smaller piece of leather ((Yea she died her hair black))

She pulled on her boots as her sister watched. The two girls were completely opposite in appearance. Mariah wore black, her eyes were yellow and she recently died her pink hair midnight black. Kat on the other hand had blue eyes and blonde hair-almost white in color. Kat prefered light colors that got peoples attention.

Kat sighed her sister was becoming more distant with each hunt they went on. And the last few vampires they had slain had been people that Katrina had known though she would never tell Mariah this. It would worry her. And Kat knew that her sister had enough to worry about right now.

Mariah had been having frequent arguments with their brother Lee and that wasent good. Even Ray had begun to argue with Mariah over how she was always gone at night and practically falling asleep no matter what during the day.

Sighing softly Mariah put the dagger she always carried in a small case that was attatched to her belt. The without a word she walked out of the small room without another word.

Katrina nearly yelled after her, she had that bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something was going to happen soon and whatever it was it wasent going to end well. The dark-haired girl shivered slightly and ran her hands up and down her arms slowly. It was warm out but there was a chill in the air. She had goosebumps and in a way it was silly to be so cold.

It was around noon and it was Friday. Which Mariah was thankful for, she needed to rest and catch up on her school work-or even better just sleep. Her teachers were becoming annoyed as was everyone else. Only a select few knew that Katrina and Mariah were vampire hunters and even then they knew not to say anything.

She looked along the street, even though it was daytime and should of been busy the streets and shops were nearly desereted. And that was because of the recent attacks. Fifty people were missing, another ten found dead and there were at least thirty people who were suspected of being a vampire-or related to one.

Evreything had pretty much gone to hell and back. Everything.

Mariah turned her gaze straight ahead again only to see someone dart around the corner. And that was unusual. They hadnt wanted to be seen. Mariah narrowed her yellow eyes and darted off after them. Whoever it was looked over their shoulder and ran faster when they seen her running after them.

Mariah couldnt tell who-or what the person was because of the hooded ankle length cloak they were wearing. It was black, so she assumed this person had to be a vampire-or someone who didnt want to wear a regular jacket.

The hooded figure darted down anothe rback road clearly trying to loose her, but it didnt work. Mariah knew that trick well. She jumped up onto window ledge and continued jumping from one ledge to the next. Once she was on the roof, she jumped from one building to the next, keeping the hooded figure in her site. Once she seen a way that she could get ahead of the figure, she took it.

Mariah jumped down from the roof and landed in front of the figure, it stumbled back and landed on the ground. Mariah quickly pinned the figure down and pulled the dagger off her belt. At the same time the hood fell back revealing a very angry looking male. Mariah let go of him and jumped back, looking at him.

The vampire glared at the girl. He was pissed as he damn well should be. She had followed him, tricked him and nearly killed him.

"What the hell is wrong with you !" He demanded as he stood up and dusted off.

"I-I-I-I'm sorry .." she stammered. He eyed the dagger and frowned. He had seen it before. "Whats your name?" he asked with an accent. "Mariah." she answered softly. He narrowed his icy blue eyes, "Im Tala," She looked at him,that name was familiar. She couldnt remember where from, but it was very familiar. Tala turned and walked away, he didnt have time to play games with a crazy female who seemed comtent with chasing anyone and anything.

Mariah started to follow him when he demanded that she stop or else. When she said she would take the 'or else' he turned and lunged at her with lightening fast speed. And there was only one reason he could do that-he was a vampire. The realization hit the slayer hard.

Tala pinned her to the wall, now that he was close and was using all his senses he could smell the deaths of other vampires on her. She was a slayer. And that wasent good for him-but it was something he could handle.

Mariah looked at the vampire, hatered in her eyes. He was crazy if he thought he could hold her there. She struggled against his grip and he only tightened it. She the slyaer struggled more. Tala growled at her "Stop being foolish girl!"

She nearly spit on him. He was gripping her arms so tightly she knew there would be bruises there in the morning.

For a moment Tala thought about biting her-changing her into a vampire. Turn her into what she hated most. Then he decided not too and let her go. There was no reason to resort to that-yet. He might in due time. For now he was just going to mess with her head and confuse her a little.

"I'm going to let you go for now. If you see me around again, dont bother me or I'll kill you. Oh and one more thing: If you tell anyone you saw me-I'll kill you." And with that he was gone, sinking back into the shadows.

The dark-haired girl stayed where she was clearly shaken by this turn of events. So this Tala person was a vampire?And he had no problem killing her-or so he had just claimed.

Great! Now look at the fine mess you have gotten yourself into Mariah! When will you ever learn? she thought.

She jumped back up onto the ledges and from building to building until she was home. She walked into the small room that she and Kat shared to find a small note on the dresser.

Hey sis,

I knew you would be gone awhile so I went out. I'll call you if anything comes up or if I need anything. Dont wait up for me, get some rest.

Kat

P.S.

I borrowed a few of your weapons-dont worry I'll return them in one piece.

She smiled at the last part. Mariah was very protective of her weapons. After all those weapons were the only reason that she and Kat were still alive and the only reason that the city wasent flooded with vampires.

Vampires!...she groaned. At one point in time she thought vampires were cool and wondered what it would be like to be one. Now she spent most of her time hunting them. And the dark haired slayer had the feeling that she just met her match: A vampire named Tala.