Soul Surrender

"The difference between right and wrong has always been easy for Ethan to discern, but anymore the night is as crazy as the day. Every moment presents the fear of disaster and the promise of something more, and for Ethan his heart is the only thing pointing true north so for now that's his compass. Which path will he walk, and what will be the cost?"

Chapter 1

Ethan stood at his locker trying feverishly to get his stupid school assigned combination lock to open. This wouldn't be a problem on any other day but today Ethan was gonna finally do what he had pictured a hundred times or more, he had saved up his allowance for weeks and now it was gonna pay off. Because today Ethan was gonna but Sarah his gift, a ring that after seeing she would have to say yes to a date breaking the awkward friend status between them. There was only one thing standing in his way, complete ignorance of what would be suitable or even desired by a girl like Sarah. "Damn it!"

"Whoa buddy easy on the lock, you only get one and if you break it you buy it." Benny, Ethan's best friend since elementary school said walking out of the classroom behind Ethan with an eye cocked up.

Ethan set the lock back down on the locker. "Its just that I want Sarah to understand that I like her as more than just a, will you come save me I'm getting attacked by the supernatural horror and I'm too much of a sissy to do anything friend. And the fact that she is my baby sitter doesn't really help the situation any now does it?"

"Harsh bud but I understand what your saying and if it helps, I think that spending so much time with Sarah has helped your odds a bit. Besides remember with the love potion you told me how her locker was filled with all your pictures, and she said that she had always liked you. Your practically there you just need some help with this final step."

"Yeah but from who? I don't really know any other girls that would care to help me, not to mention that Sarah values things differently from other girls. The time I took a photo of her and sent it to her phone, she just looked at me puzzled and asked me what I was doing."

"Hey maybe you could hire a girl to help you"

"No that wont work this has to be for Sarah, and some other girl will just pick out which ring she think is the prettiest and that wont do."

"Don't worry we will figure something out by the end of the day"

"Alright and if you come up with something text me."

"Ok but you have to keep calm, you don't want to come off as neurotic before you even get a chance to give it to her."

"Give what to who?" Sarah said catching both boys off guard.

"Um... just some old assignment that I forgot to turn in" Ethan stumbled to spit out.

"Oh well ok…?"

Benny through his hand up. "Ill text you later Ethan don't worry im sure we will figure out a way to get that assignment done."

With Benny gone it was only Ethan and Sarah standing there and Ethan didn't have the slightest clue as to what to say so he just blurted out. "Are you babysitting this weekend for my parents?"

"…Yeah I guess I kinda wanted to go clubbing with Erika. Since I got my full powers I haven't really been able to enjoy the benefits with her."

"Oh yeah I forgot to ask how are you coping with the changes?"

"Well its not all that different I mean I'm a little stronger than before, but mainly it my diet that is changed. I have to drink from a bag now, the animal stuff want cut it anymore and I have to survive."

"That's good. Is it weird, I mean drinking blood from a bag and knowing where it came from?"

Sarah feeling a little self conscious stared straight down. "Its not that bad, I mean after eating from behind the dumpsters… it's a desired change. Plus I don't have that sick feeling every time I see or smell blood."

RING! "Oh well that's the warning bell I better get to class Ill catch ya later then."

"Yeah sure bye"

Later In Fourth Period Class

Ethan sat turned towards Benny. "Benny I got it, I was talking to Sarah and she mentioned hanging out with Erica."

"Um Ethan I'm not following you here what does that have to do with your problem?"

"Benny all I have to do is convince Erica to help me find a ring for Sarah, she knows Sarah better than anyone."

Benny still looking confused. "Ok but how, she doesn't like you let alone want to help you shop?"

"Just like you said if I need I can just pay her, yeah ill have to get a slightly cheaper ring but who cares it will work out for the better."

"Oh well that could work call me tonight and let me know how it goes, or if you need witchy back up just text me."

"Ok"

In The Hall After Class

Ethan sees Erica grabbing books out of her locker. "Hey how are you."

"Why are you talking to me, do I look like I want to be seen talking to you?" Erica starts to turn.

"Fair enough but you will I wanna make a deal."

Erica stops, turns, and lowers her voice. "What kinda deal are you talking about?"

"I need help finding a gift for Sarah, and I am willing to pay you to help me."

Rolling her eyes. "And what would I want with your money? Ever since I got my powers I haven't had much trouble getting money, I just wait till someone uses the ATM then I put them into a trace and withdraw whatever I want."

"Well I have other things I could pay you with, like movies, or books, I could even owe you a favor if that suits you."

Thinking her options over she looks disappointed, then she suddenly brightens up almost giddy. "How much do you want my help?"

"More than anything you're the only girl that knows Sarah enough to help."

"Ok here is the deal and I won't accept any less. You will pay me a little at a time every other day. We will meet after school at my house and you will never tell anyone about this. We will be through only when I am satisfied and not a day sooner."

Ethan frowns. "Oh well I guess I could ask my dad to pay me my allowance at the beginning of the week that would work for me."

"I don't want your money Ethan I told you I have plenty of that. What I'm talking about is something much more valuable to me. I'm talking about that sweet sweet blood of yours, you're gonna come over and let me get my fill every other day." Erica still wearing that same shit eating grin.

Ethan started to back away he knew this was bad, and almost unjustifiable. "You want me to come to you, and let you bite me and take my blood?"

"It doesn't have to be through bite I could use a needle and withdraw every time, but your arm is gonna get really messed up that way."

Ethan shivered at the thought of needles. "I don't like this one bit you have to promise that this is going to be short term. And how do I even know that you wont try to take too much and kill me?"

"I guess you'll just have to trust me and hope for the best"

"Is that all I get a, you'll just have to trust me. That's not even an attempt at a guarantee."

"That's because I make no promises, and if you want my help you'll agree otherwise get lost." Erica makes like she is about to turn

"Ok… but ill see if you're planning on tricking me and Ill stake you myself before you get the chance."

Erica Looking a little pissed. "Whatever… oh and I want my first payment today."

"No you can't I need to give my gift to Sarah without any worry that she will see marks on me."

Erica thought for a moment. "Double tomorrow, you should be fine since you don't usually give blood."

Ethan knew this was the only way and as dirty and sketchy as it may seem he had to it or risk losing any chance with Sarah. "Ok ill meet up with you after school and we will discuss which store would be best to start at."

"What are you getting her anyway?"

"A ring so that she will look down and think of me"

Laughing almost hysterically. "You could just get her a pair of shoes if that is all you want."

"I want more than that, but it will be the start of a long chain of things that will lead to her ultimately dating me." Ethan said defending his idea.

"Well it's your money… and of course it's also your blood. Ill pick you up at your house at four don't make me wait."