CHAPTER ONE
Vladimir Dracula packed his stuff into his suitcase. He couldn't tell anyone where he was going, not his dad, not Ingrid, not even Erin. They'd just tell him not to, that he was being silly. They'd tell him he was being irrational, that everything would turn out fine. Well maybe not Ingrid; she'd be happy to see him dead. But Vlad knew he couldn't stay, not with him being this close to 18 and being the 'ruler of the vampire race'. He'd rather step out into the sunlight and roast to death.
"OK, I've got my clothes, my bag, enough soya blood to last me a month or two, a few packets of crisps, a chocolate bar...where's Mr Cuddles?" Vlad muttered to himself, walking over to his wardrobe to grab the tatty monkey toy off the top. "I'm gonna miss this place."
Glancing around his bedroom in his home that was Garside Grange for the last time, Vlad felt tears brimming in the corners of his eyes. He hated goodbyes.
He left the school building silently but slowly, wanting to savour every moment seeing as this was probably the last time he'd ever come back here. He looked up to the window of Erin's room and for the first time since he was 13 he allowed himself to cry. "Good bye Erin," he whispered. "I'll miss you. I love you." It broke his unbeating heart knowing he'd never get to say goodbye properly and to her face. It broke his unbeating heart knowing when she woke up for school in the morning she wouldn't have a clue where he was.
And then he was gone.
The wind was cold and fierce that night in Werringdon Park Street. The sky was black and the moon was almost full. Almost, but not quite. The silence was only disturbed by the occasional skittering of littler blowing down the road, or the odd car here and there. For the most part, this area of Reading was relatively peaceful. The only place where anything remotely interesting happening was going on inside an big white house.
Martha Fredriks paced up and down her bedroom, always keeping a wary eye on her window. It was 12:30 and something in her mind made her think that there was something not right about Werringdon Park being so silent. And that was when she heard it.
As soon as Vlad trod on the empty coke can, he knew someone would've heard. He waited a minute before hearing a door open and diving into a nearby bush, watching the person make their way down the path until they were right in front of him. It was a girl. She bent down and picked up the coke can, examining it. She tucked her hair behind her ear and the street lamps illuminated her face. Then she saw him.
It was just a slight twitch of Vlad's head that made the girl aware of him. Her eyes quickly focused on the movement and she stood up straight.
"Who's there?" She asked the bush, worry itching into her voice. "I know someone's there, who are you?"
"Umm... a person...?" Vlad replied, feeling slightly awkward and stupid at being caught out.
"Yeah I can tell you're a person! But who are you?" Her soft voice snapped back.
"Urm..."
"Come out. I want to see who you are." The girl demanded.
"Not too sure you want me to..."
"Just get out here!"
And with that, Vlad stepped out.
