I flicked on my iPod and set the band to Muse, putting it on random. I welcomed the heavy bass and whining guitar in my ears as Matt Bellamy sang his usual, slightly gothic, rock music. It was bliss. I shoved my hands in my pockets and shivered against the cold. It was -2C in South East England and the snow was beginning to fall. I seemed to have a better resistance to the cold than everyone else, so I walked home in just my school uniform: my shirt, kilt, jumper and blazer. Not piled high with vests and hats and coats like everyone else. I'd walked half the way home with a couple of friends, but the further away we got the more our numbers dwindled from the original five to just me. I lived about a mile from the school, which was closer than most. I went to an all girls grammar school, so students came by bus and train from all over the county.

As I trudged through the alleyway that led to my house, I remembered my Mum telling me not to go down there. "You don't know who you might meet," she said, referring to murderers and paedophiles. However it was quicker than the longwinded route and I wanted to get home fast so that I could get my homework done and watch X Factor. It was ironic how, just as I was thinking that nothing would happen to me, a person appeared behind me. At first I ignored him; it was just another guy living in this area. No biggie. However, as he began to close in on me, I got the feeling he was following me. I picked up the pace a bit, and he followed suit. I continued doing this until I was almost at a run. My feet seemed to blur beneath my eyes. I tried to stay underneath the streetlamps, and I could feel my fists balled up beside me. Suddenly, the man appeared in front of me. It was strange how he was so fast, but I ignored him and tried to push fast. He wouldn't let me go. I pulled out an earphone and could hear the loud music blaring through.

"Excuse me," I muttered, "you're blocking the path." He laughed and I looked up at him. Something about him intimidated me. Maybe it was his height that seemed to loom and cast shadows over my measly 5 ft 3inches. Maybe it was because his skin was deathly pale. Maybe it was because he was so fast. Or maybe it was just because the crimson lines surrounding the pupils of his ocean blue eyes were beginning to creep me out. What ever it was, I shuddered. He seemed to notice and chuckled again, his sandy hair blowing in the light breeze. He strode towards me and I took a frightened step back. This continued until I was pushed out of the light against a wall. I cowered against it. No, I thought, be strong. Don't be afraid. With that thought, I pulled back my fist and snapped it towards his face with as much force as I had. I felt it make contact with his nose, but he seemed as solid as rock. He seemed surprised that somebody like me would punch him. I had to admit, I looked young for my face. My chestnut brown hair was flowing in soft waves to my elbows and I had slid in an Alice band. My face was quite round, giving it a childlike look, and I was only average height. My friends said I was blessed to look young, but I'd rather not be rejected from seeing certificate 12 movies when I was 14, thank you very much.

However, my punch didn't seem to faze him. Instead, he cracked a smile, revealing sharp pointy teeth that looked suspiciously like fangs. I blinked twice, sure my eyes were deceiving me, but they were still there.

"Don't fight, little girl. I won't hurt you," he murmured.

"Stay away from me!" I growled. Instead he pulled me towards him, pulling my hair back to expose my neck. I struggled against his vicelike grip, trying to knee him in the groin. He bent down so his lips touched my neck, then the parted and his fangs dug into my body. I shrieked as they pierced my skin, but it turned into a moan of pleasure. It was one of the most wonderful feelings I'd ever had. Part of me remained sanity and screamed at me: This creepy psycho dude is drinking your blood! What are you doing?" But I couldn't help myself. It was so wonderful. As my eyes started to close, two more people, a man and a woman, arrived on the scene. A glint of silver caught my eye and suddenly I was ripped away from the vampire. He flung me against the wall and black and white spots flashed in front of my eyes as a searing pain ripped through my skull. I slumped to the floor and passed out.

When I re-opened my eyes, the two new people were bending over the body of the vampire. A silver stake had been jammed into his heart and they were discussing somebody: Me. I caught slivers of the conversation.

"...they don't usually hunt this early...I know it's dark...she's only young," the woman was arguing with the man. Suddenly she turned to look at me. I feebly tried to lift my head and tenderly touched my skull. I could feel a large bump forming there. Her figure suddenly blocked out my vision.

"What did you think you were doing?" she asked me, angrily.

"Rose, be careful. She's just been attacked and thrown against that wall pretty badly. I'm surprised there's no blood," the man chastised. Rose knelt beside me and the man began to examine my head.

"Are you sure it's her?" she asked.

"Hmm...Long brown hair, hazel eyes, about 13.."

"I'm 14 actually!" I protested. He continued anyway.

"Lives in this area. What's your name?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because we just saved your life, idiot!" Rose chimed in.

I gritted my teeth. "Amy. Amy Toran."

"Yep. It's definitely her then. You win." He grinned and she glared playfully before turning back to me. "You're coming back with us to St. Vladimir's Academy."

"Sorry?" I had no idea what they were talking about.

"You know. The school where you can be with others of your kind."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Rose, calm," the man began, placing his hand on Rose's arm to stop her shaking. "I know you've been hurt, but you need to come with us." I shook my head.

"I honestly have no idea. What us St. Vladimir's Academy? Already have a school."

"Hmmm..." he mused. "It seems this conversation may take a while. Can we come back to your house?"

"Fine," I grumbled, trying and failing to get up. He swept me up in his arms and started going in the wrong direction. I giggled and pointed it out to him. I could swear that I saw a hint of jealousy in Rose's eyes, but then her face was calm and composed, matching his. She watched us the whole way home.