"YOU FILTHY SONOFABITCH!"

Charley hadn't even thought about whether or not trying to punch Jerry was a bad idea. His anger-fuelled mind never even gave him a chance to contemplate the idea. One moment his eyes flickered between Amy – comatose and bleary eyed – and the vampire – sensual but seething – and the very next his fist was flying of its own accord, the trajectory aimed straight at the back of Dandrige's skull.

And just as quickly, just as effortlessly, the vampire caught his fist mid-flight.

Jerry turned his gaze upon the teen, his eyes glittering darkly under the club lights. "You shouldn't lose your temper, Charley," he chided gleefully. He squeezed Charley's fist and Charley crumpled to the floor. "It isn't polite."

Desperation crept into Charley's voice, the blind panic warring with the pain radiating from his hand and up his arm. "You can't kill me here!"

"I don't want to kill you, Charley," Jerry said, laughing quietly.

"TAKE ME!"

The words fell from his mouth, thick and fast. They hung in the air, freezing the three of them in place. All around them, bodies swayed in motion to the pounding music, oblivious to the danger in their midst. Charley ignored them; his attention was focused solely upon the immovable vampire before him, who gazed steadily back at Charley with such an intensiveness that it sent a chill crawling up the teenager's spine.

"Take me! Let Amy go and take me instead!" Charley swallowed around the lump that had formed in his throat, making his voice sound strained. "Please."

"You wish to take her place?"

Charley nodded, seeing a red ember flickering to life within Jerry's eyes. "Yes! Do whatever you want with me but please, let her go! Please, please don't hurt her. Please."

Jerry appeared to consider Charley's words, turning the offer over in his mind. After a moment, and without preamble, he released Amy's wrist, simultaneously dropping the hold he had on her mind. Released from his thrall, Amy staggered a step, her arms coming up to cradle her throbbing head.

Looking down upon Charley's kneeling form, Jerry's eyes burned a fiery iridescent color. "I accept," he said, and then roughly pulled Charley to his feet.

"Charley…?"

Reluctantly, Charley met Amy's gaze. She looked between the two men, confusion growing into palpable fear as she registered the vampire standing so near to her. She must not remember the last few minutes, Charley realized. Jerry's control had ensured that. He envied her.

"Amy," Charley began, "go home. It's okay. You're safe now."

Amy's face pinched into an expression of uncertainty. "I don't understand. Charley, what's happening?"

"It's okay, Amy. I…" Charley glanced nervously at Jerry, seeing that he held all of the vampire's interest. And why not? He was tonight's T-bone steak; Amy was leftovers. "I made a deal."

"What? Charley, you're scaring me."

Charley's heart sank. Oh Amy... "It's okay. It's all okay now. I made you a promise, and I'm keeping it. I'll go with him. You can go home. Please go home, Amy." Charley licked his lips, his mouth suddenly dry and scratching. "I love you, Amy."

"Charley?" Horror drew upon Amy's face as Charley's words slowly began to reach her tired, sluggish mind. "Charley! Charley, no!"

"It's the only way, Amy."

"No, Charley! It's not the only way, it can't be!"

They were beginning to attract an audience, as several of the nearby dancers had finally noticed the three static figures standing at the heart of the Club Radio. Seeing this, his own impatience mounting with every tear-filled utterance spoken by the two teens, Jerry, still gripping Charley's wrist, tugged the boy in the direction of the exit.

"Stop, Charley!" Amy grabbed at Charley, tears streaking down her cheeks. "Charley, stop! No!"

"It's okay." With his free hand, Charley reached for his girlfriend, entwining his fingers with hers. "I love you, Amy." He choked as a sob caught in his throat. "Always remember that."

Amy cried as Charley let go of her, her wordless scream piercing through the thunderous music above. She tripped and fell to her knees, her arm still outstretched. Unsure if she were hurt, those around Amy knelt to help her up.

"No!" She batted at them, pushing them all aside as she clambered to her feet. "Stop them!" she yelled, pointing in the direction that Dandrige had taken Charley. "STOP THEM!"

But no one was there. The vampire had merged with the shadows, and Charley was no where to be found.