"Freak like me" Prologue

Hi there. My name is Darren Shan and I'm a freak. I know what you're thinking. Everyone thinks they're weird some time. But no, that's not the case. I'm an actual freak. A Vampire's assistant, really. That means I'm on my way to becoming a real vampire. Yep, in about a year, I'll be graduating from Vamp University. That's not a real university, I just like referring to my training like that. Hey, what do you want from me? I told you I'm a freak!

How did I become a freak? Well, that's a pretty long story and I don't have all day. Larten's waiting for me just outside the camp. But I guess I can give you a super-summarized version.

Basically, about a year ago, I made a stupid decision that almost killed my best friend. Yeah, I stole a vampire's spider. My friend Steve and I went to this freak show, and that's when I met her, Octa, the most beautiful poisonous spider I could have ever laid my eyes on. She was the size of a grown man's hand, blue and red, with the cutest furry legs. I love Octa. I've been obssessed with spiders since, like, forever. Just like Steve had always been obssessed with vampires. So much, that he wanted to become one.

The thing is, Larten Crepsley's spider actually bit Steve and he ended up in hospital, in critical state. So I begged Larten to give him an antidote. And he did, he just asked me to become his "assistant" in exchange. And I accepted in a heartbeat. I'd do anything for Steve. And it worked, Larten turned me into his assistant and Steve recovered just fine. Only, now that I was a half-vampire, I had to leave before I hurt anyone. So we faked my death (well, Larten did break my neck) and I went to live at the freak camp.

I wish that's where the story ended. I wish Steve had recovered, mourned my death, and gone on with his life. But life is never that simple, and the Vampaneze (oh, you'll hear about them later) convinced Steve to join them.

So now, we're like enemies. Cause Vampires and Vampaneze don't get along, trust me. So because Larten killed a Vampaneze to save me (yeah, he won't admit it, but he's fond of me), a war started and guess what? It will only end when one leader is dead. And Steve is one of them. I don't know who the other leader is, but I'm guessing it's Larten.

That's not even important. What matters is that I'm on a mission. I gave my life to save Steve's and I'm not going to sit back and watch him become a murderous monster. I'm going to do everything in my power to get him back, to get my friend back, to see him happy and at peace.

In the meantime, I'm still training with Larten, I hang out with my friend Evra and my girlfriend Rebecca and keep my mind focused on my goal: Steve.

Welcome to my after-life.