Author's notes:
Ran - Oh man, I am so excited about this one...Mary-Sue, we're coming for you! Addendum...this bitch was one of the most agitating characters I've ever written...
Kage - We're so very bad...and I have to say, this was painful to write. Taking it out my frustrations on Michael will be good enough!
"Samuel? Samuel Emerson?"
"Here."
"Edgar Frog?"
"Here."
"Alan...Frog?"
"Here."
"Mildred Greenwald? Mildred Greenwald? Mildred Greenwald!"
"My name...is Raven." I retorted to the woefully mis-informed substitute teacher. I can't believe she'd use that awful name my parents gave me. It's so normal. So boring. So unbelievably...bland. And I'm anything but bland. My story begins now, in the present...as I draw little hearts around my incredibly accurate depictions of the sexy bad boys from the boardwalk who went missing over a year ago. The Lost Boys. My soulmates...I just know it. I can feel it in my bones.
It was so boring here ever since they disappeared. I rolled my eyes, tuning out the stupid lady at the front of the class. Sam and those idiot brothers were talking again. I heard them the other day talking about vampires, really? Can you believe it? It's so romantic. I sighed softly, just thinking about it. What if the Lost Boys were vampires? What if they weren't really gone?
I could just imagine...flying away on their motorcycles, my incredibly dark silky shiny ebony obsidian raven-black hair trailing behind me...it would be...perfect. I sit behind the dork, Sam...ugh...what kind of name is 'Sam'? So boring. So bland. So dumb. Like he could ever take on a vampire in a fight!
"Do you really think there's a way they could come back?" Sam's voice was a low hiss as he talked with the Frog with the bandana.
'Come back?' My eyes widened as I leaned forward, dark silky shiny ebony obsidian raven-black hair trailing across my desktop...what were they talking about? I nearly squeaked as I clapped a hand over my mouth in realization. The Lost Boys! Could it be true?! Only I could make such a connection. Only I am smart enough to pick up on things without remotely logical context clues.
"Well, yeah, maybe, but someone would have to find where we buried them and do some huge ritual, like bleed on them and shit."
'Bleeding?' I pulled out a pencil from my desk, blueberry scented and black like my soul, and I furiously began to scribble down notes...ritual...bleeding...and shit...if this was true, then maybe it was destiny? I glanced down at my notebook, black like my pencil and my soul, and I looked back up towards the Frogs sitting nearby.
"But what if someone goes to the...umm...hideout and finds them? We should move them."
The other Frog snorted, "There isn't a better place, anywhere else someone might accidentally find them. No one goes down there, we don't have to worry about it."
"Excuse me," I licked my lips several times, using the sexy stare I give everyone when I want something...knowing it works every time, "could you repeat that last part? And...where did you bury who?" My sexy stare intensified, as I leaned forward, twirling a lock of my...well, you know...hair.
The one with the girly hair looked back at me, frowning...because he knew he could never have me. I'm miles beyond any league he could ever hope to pitch in. But he didn't respond, and instead looked forward to the front of the class...petrified by my magnetic charm. So magnetic, I could gather paper clips from the front desk with just a look.
"Sam," I whispered...huskily. "What are you boys talking about?" I drew my long nails across the back of his shirt, snagging them on a loose thread. I wrinkled my nose and tried to yank my hand away, tearing a small hole in his tacky shirt in the process.
He turned back towards me, shifting in his chair and reaching for the torn spot with a horrified grimace, "you tore my shirt!" He hissed, "and I don't know what you're talking about!" He turned back to the front of the class and scooted his seat forward, further away from me.
I just couldn't understand it...were they really that shy around me? Ugh...just one more reason they couldn't compare...to The Lost Boys…
I looked back down at my drawing, longingly...scribbling in an extra detail to the incredibly well-drawn image of myself being embraced by all four of them simultaneously...no matter. I'd just have to listen in at lunch. Maybe I could get more details then, when the Frog freaks and their sidekick had time to calm their ardour for my incomprehensible flirtatious ways…
The weird girl was following them again. She'd been following them ever since first period and now it was lunch and she was sitting way too close for comfort. Sam glanced over at her before back at the Frogs.
"What does she think she's doing? What does she want?"
"Banana?" Edgar held one up, peeling it. He glanced over at the weird girl, "I mean...I don't know. What do you want from me? I'm a vampire hunter, not a...girl...detective...Alan, help me out here…" Edgar grunted, having thoroughly confused himself.
"She's weird. She's always weird. She'll always be weird. Ignore her…" Alan shook his head. To be dubbed 'weird' by the Frog brothers was no small feat.
On cue, said weird girl scooted even closer to them, scribbling furiously. Sam could almost swear he saw smoke coming off of the paper.
Sam shook his head, "Alright, I still say we should move the bodies. They can't stay in that hotel forever, someone is gonna go down there and find them."
"Out by the bluff?" Edgar snorted, "nobody goes to the bluff. It's way too dangerous. They'll be fine."
Sam shook his head, "I just, I have a bad feeling."
As Edgar took a bite of his banana, he jerked up when he realized the weird girl was staring right at him, grinning. He scowled and glanced over at Sam, chewing open-mouthed and smacking his lips, "they'll be fine. The Lost Boysh are dead, Sham. We'll move them in a couple weeksh if it bothersh you that mu-..." He glanced over at the weird girl. Had she moved...even closer?
"Dude, is she...is she getting closer?" That feeling of dread seemed to grow in the pit of his stomach.
Alan shrugged, snatching a fry from Sam's plate. He'd already finished his own lunch. "Just keep a stake handy, if you're that worried, Sam. Can't go wrong keeping a good, sharp stake handy if a bloodsucker comes near."
Sam rolled his eyes, "I always have one with me, what do you think I am? Stupid?"
"How's your dumbass brother, by the way?" Edgar leaned back, taking another gigantic bite of his banana.
"Mike? He's fine, I think he's planning on leaving with Star in another year or so. Although he looks really tired, not sure how much sleep he's been getting ever since...the incident." He ate a couple fries.
Alan looked suspicious, "hasn't tried...biting you, has he?"
Sam shook his head, "Nope, hasn't tried to attack anyone, Nanook's been fine with him too."
"If you ask me…" Edgar shook his half-eaten banana in front of Sam's face to illustrate his point more effectively, "anyone who goes half vampire...always has a little bloodsucker in his system, no matter what."
"Well, good thing it's not up to you. Mike's fine. We don't have to worry about him." Little did Sam realize as he was talking...the weird girl had stood up and was now standing directly behind him, staring furiously into the back of his head. As if she could crack his skull with her gaze.
And for the first time in his life, Alan lost his appetite. "Uh...Sam...you might wanna look behind you…"
Sam swallowed hard, turning slowly, "What the fuck?" He yelped, jumping, "Why're you standing there like some freaky mannequin?"
She jumped back, clutching her notebook to her chest as if she'd just been attacked, "I...you…"
"What?" Sam swallowed again, he didn't feel like eating any more either, "Something you want?"
She compulsively flicked her hair over her shoulder. It was a weird...nervous twitch thing she seemed to constantly do in class or just about every time anyone looked at her. Sam wondered if she had a nervous disorder, and regretted being so harsh...but then…
"You can never have me. I'm sorry, Sam. My heart and soul belongs to the night!" She gasped, spinning on her heels and rushing out of the cafeteria.
Alan and Edgar stared after her, then looked over at Sam, oddly.
"Dude...what did you do to her?" Alan asked, reaching over to grab the rest of Sam's fries and shove them in his mouth.
"I wish I knew and I'm pretty sure I never said I wanted her." He blinked after her, "Umm, she's weird. Like really weird. There's enough crazy in my life, I don't need more." He paused, snatching up his carton of milk when he caught Alan giving it a greedy look. "Dude...stop!"
I poured over my notebook. Ritual. Hotel by the bluff. Blood. It all made so much sense...The Lost Boys...they were definitely vampires. It explained why I felt this deep connection with them, from the first moment I'd heard about their mysterious reputation back in middle school. I've always known I was destined to join the night for eternity. I just thought I'd get there through the power of my dark and mysterious poetry…
But being a vampire would be so much better. When I reached for my phone in my room, I could barely hold in my excitement. It would be dark soon...maybe there would be time to find them and do whatever kind of ritual I had to, in order to bring them back. But I'd need a friend. And I knew just the person…
Others know her by the name of Gretchen Smallbucher. Me? I know her true name…Shadow. I dialed her number to the tune of a funeral dirge. The song of our people.
"Hello? Is Shadow there?" I whispered ominously into the receiver.
"Raven? What does the night bring for us?"
I could barely contain my joy, as tasteless as that is. I know. Looking and acting happy is the absolute worst thing someone can do, when their soul is united with darkness and the bleak reality of eternal night. "Shadow...I require your aid."
"What nefarious deeds are we doing tonight?"
"I'm glad you asked...Shadow, do you still have the sacrificial dagger? The one you bought at the flea market?"
"Of course, what do we require it for?"
I couldn't control myself, I let a giggle leak through despite my rigorous training in the ways of mystery, "you remember The Lost Boys?!"
"How could I ever forget?" She sighed wistfully, "I miss them so much."
"Well...Shadow...I have something big to tell you. Something that will blow your mind, shatter your soul into oblivion, and then recreate it in the image of true eternity...and darkness…"
"Don't make me wait! Please Raven, what news do you have?"
I heard a voice on the other end, Shadow's mother figure...I sneered in disgust when she asked my closest companion if she wanted any pizza. As if that could even come close to the delights of what we are about to join with! Besides...she's a fat-ass. She doesn't need any more pizza.
"They're...vampires…" I whispered giddily.
She squealed, obviously couldn't help herself, "Where are they? Are we going to join them?"
"Well...that's why we need the dagger…" And so I told her of my dark journey through the cafeteria that afternoon, of the erotically charged tension Samuel Emerson had for me, and the smouldering look he tried to burn me with when he realized what I had planned.
"Are we doing it tonight?! Please, let's go now, I can meet you out there!"
My dark silky shiny ebony obsidian raven-black hair shone brilliantly under the moonlight as I pulled my bicycle up on Hudson's bluff. Shadow was already waiting for me...in her black lace mini skirt and tank top. The ceremonial garb we'd planned together.
"Do you have the dagger?" I rasped, mysteriously turning away and squinting my eyes, my thick eyelashes making me even more mysterious in the process.
She nodded, holding out the shiny curved dagger, "Of course." She looked down the worn stairs, "Down there?"
I rolled my eyes, "obviously, Shadow. That's why we're here!"
As we trailed across the bluff towards the shining gates, I couldn't help but think...how like the gates of heaven...or perhaps hell...they appeared.
"Which one do you want, when we bring them back?" I asked Shadow, though I planned to take them all for myself first. Sure...they were bad boys...and vampires...but I know deep down, they're sensitive. Passionate. They just need me, their soul-mate, to bring it out.
"The brunette." She sighed wistfully, walking down the stairs carefully.
"Hurry up!" I urged, pressing her forward, nearly stumbling on my robe. My bathrobe. My black bathrobe. I had to improvise, but I know they'll understand…
And...I couldn't help but gasp when we finally came to the place, shining my flashlight about. The incredible...junkyard? What the hell was this place? "What the hell is this place?!" I stomped my foot, almost forgetting myself, and then repeating in a much huskier voice, "what sort of place...is this?"
"It looks kind of like a graveyard, for...stuff." She was looking at an old fountain as she spoke. Surrounding it were four mounds of earth...it had to be them.
"Shadow! Don't move!" I hissed, drawing around the fountain and staring at the mounds. "I can't believe...I can't believe this is real!" I drew in a deep breath, knees and lips quivering with delight. "...Do...you have the sacrificial dagger ready?"
She pulled it out, holding it toward me reverently, totally speechless. I could see the fear in her eyes, the sheer terror of finally coming so very close to true darkness. "Shadow...let the dagger guide you...feel it's voice in your soul. The dagger will tell you where to cut your arm first…" Because I'm definitely not going to scar myself! I have to stay perfect for them…
She stood over one of the graves, hand shaking slightly as she drew the blade across her arm, watching the blood spill onto the grave. It was a lot of blood…
"Uh...Shadow? You...you're bleeding a lot…" My eyes widened, and I couldn't help but take a step back, nervous. This wouldn't be quite as perfect if I had to cut our ritual short and rush her to the hospital.
"I...It felt right…"
I sighed in relief, drawing closer to her, staring down at the chosen mound. Which one would it be? The small one? The brunette? The one with the rocker smile? Or...the guy in the coat? I couldn't help myself, I had to giggle again, clutching my flashlight close. This needed some sort of speech...a final touch. So, I cleared my throat...and began…
"Oh creatures from beyond life and death, who know eternity and darkness...come now and join with your brides. Bring us into the union of shadows and oblivion in which you dwell!" I shouted, proud of my incredible prose at such short notice. A shiver ran down my spine...this was just so...perfect. How could anyone not fall in love with someone as mysterious and beautiful as I?
Suddenly, the dirt of the mount began to shift...as the blood melted into it… "How much more do you think it needs?" I glanced at Shadow, clutching at her shoulder to steady her. She didn't look too good...but I didn't think it would hurt to wait just a bit longer. Until more blood soaked into the dirt...our boys could carry her to the hospital if they needed to. Bringing them back was of utmost importance, in this, the hour of our victory over death.
Dying hurt. Being impaled by antlers had to be one of the worst ways to go. What he never thought he would say was that living hurt too. He pushed through the dirt, it wasn't the first time he had buried himself after all. What he didn't expect was to come face to face with two girls once he was free of his grave. Two, very stupid, teenage girls. What were kids these days thinking? How long had it even been? It didn't matter, he had dinner delivered right to him.
He cleared his throat, "And who might you lovely ladies be?"
"I'm...I'm Raven!" The thinner one answered, gripping her companion's shoulders, "and...this is Shadow. We've brought you back from the dead...because we love you! I mean..." She paused, taking a deep breath, "we're your...destiny…"
"I'm David." He said softly, gracing them with his most charming smile, "I must thank you for saving me, how did you find me?" He stepped closer to them, gently trailing his fingers down her throat. She quivered like a fresh jelly mould. Raven and Shadow? Really? To top it all off they loved him? They were his destiny. No way would he ever be caught dead...wait a minute, well, the point was clear, his destiny wasn't a pair of pimple faced teenagers.
"I...heard about your deaths, and how you'd been wronged...from Sam Emerson and the...Frog brothers. Shadow and I figured out how to bring you back."
He nodded in understanding, "How shall I ever repay you?" He leaned in closer, his breath ghosting across her ear. She practically threw herself at his feet, eyes sparkling with delight.
"We want to be with you...forever! Make us like you!" She begged, nuzzling her face against his legs. Clearly, she'd watched more than one trashy melodrama.
He pulled her up drawing her close, "Of course." He leaned forward and kissed her throat, "Shadow, come closer." His voice was soft as she came to him. He wrapped a hand around her wrist before allowing his face to shift, "I'll give you both forever."
He growled and drove his fangs in deeply, he loved idiots. Shadow screamed, seeing his golden eyes as he drank hungrily from her friend. He'd have to find a new 'sacrifice' for the boys, these ones were about all tapped out.